Baby Winding Positions

Feeding and winding or burping your baby are very important and both go hand in hand. Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby, as they swallow little air bubbles can become trapped in your baby’s tummy and cause discomfort for them. 

This discomfort can be displayed in a few ways such as crying or squirming during a feed, your baby arching their back or clenching their fists. If your baby is feeding and seems perfectly content then it is ok to keep feeding and wind them at the end of the feed. 

While some babies do not struggle to burp, some need a little more encouragement. We have listed below several ways to help them along the way.

Over your shoulder

With your baby's chin resting on your shoulder, support the head and shoulder area with one hand, and gently rub and pat your baby's back.

Sitting on your lap

Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Place the palm of your hand flat against their chest and support their chin (don't put any pressure on the throat area). Lean your baby forwards slightly and with your free hand, gently rub or pat your baby's back.

Lying across your lap

Lie your baby across your lap face down. Supporting their chin (don't put any pressure on the throat area), use your free hand to gently rub or pat your baby's back.

What if my baby won't burp?

Try lying them on their back and gently massaging their tummy. Also move your baby's legs back and forth, like they're riding a bicycle.

As you get used to your babies feeding patterns, their need for winding will become clearer as you start to read their body language. So, hang on in there if you are in those early and exhausting days, it will get better.